Revolver For EDC/Concealed Carry

[markiver54]

I broke some bones in my left hand back in early July. The healing process is moving slowly. I am out of my brace/splint but have realized that it's very difficult and painful to rack the slide of my EDC 9mm. I cannot even make a fist. Because of this I'm thinking I might have to resort to a concealable revolver. I feel like I may never have 100% use of my left hand again. I hope that is not the case.

Any suggestions or recommendations on a revolver to replace my 9mm would be appreciated. I don't really want to afford another handgun right now, but I don't like the feeling of being physically limited if the unthinkable should ever happen.

[Sir Henry]

I’ve had surgery three times for Dupuytrins contracture. During the healing process I could not rack the slide on my Beretta M9. I bought a Walther PK380 and I liked it because it was a semi and I could rack the slide. I know it’s not a revolver but it is an option.

[North Country Gal]

Sorry to hear that, Mark. I fight arthritis at times and that can be an issue racking the slide on an auto, too. There are so many small SD revolvers out there that it's hard to know what to pick.

For instance, I've had almost every model of S&W J frame, including the Airweights in 38 Special. They all make great conceal carry guns, but always keep in mind that you pay a price in accuracy and control with the really small and ultra light stuff. I recommend them only if you are willing to practice enough to be reasonably accurate and it does take plenty of practice to get that done, especially the Airweights.

I've also had great luck with the Kimber revolver series, but they are expensive. The aluminum frame K6sc has 6 shots and easier to see sights than the usual fixed gutter sights on the Smith Airweights. I posted a review around here on one at some point.

One of my favs over the years, though, has been the current production 38 Special Colt Cobra (not the King Cobra 357). Like the Kimber, it's a 6 shot. Very nice shooting revolver. Weighs about 25 ounces, so big enough and heavy enough to shoot well. Of course, still not cheap.

And then there's the Ruger polymer LCRs in 38, 357 or even 9mm. I've never owned one, but they do get good reviews and price is better than the others.

These days, I'm back to the slightly larger frame stuff for ease of shooting and control, something along the lines of Smith K frame snubbies or Commander or Officer size 1911s in 9mm. My current social SD carry is a Kimber KDS9c, 4" barrel and 15 shots in 9mm. Pretty amazing gun. My woods carry is a Dan Wesson 357 revolver with 2 1/2" barrel. I only rarely carry, though, so the weight factor isn't as big a deal for me. If I carried every day, different story.

One last option is going to a 380 auto for ease of racking the slide. Can't say I've ever carried a 380, but I have shot a friend's little Ruger LCP in 380. Very sweet gun to shoot. Going 380 auto does get you out of dealing with DA shooting in a revolver, at least, if you're not too good shooting a DA revolver in DA. As much as I love revolvers and love shooting them in DA, I shoot autos better.

Best of luck. Hope we can help.

[fortyshooter]

Wow sorry to hear about your hand injury and hope it heals back to normal. Check out the Ruger LCR line of small revolvers. They have a nice smooth DA trigger. I have the 357 version and mostly carry 38+P loads for SD use.

[BrokenolMarine]

Miss Tina decided to go back to a revolver from the autos she had been carrying, but wanted a steel frame rather than an airweight. She had a S&W Chiefs Special when we first met, but it was stolen. Replacing IT now was going to run close to $1,000.

I found the Taurus 856, quality, and six shots vs five. If you want a five shot, Taurus had the model 85. I did do a spring kit, to improve the trigger. The gun was less than half the cost of the Smith.

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=16036&p=241216&hil ... 56#p241216

[BigAl52]

Hope your hand heals up and you can use it like normal Mark. I carry a Ruger LCRX in 38 special. It was one of the first ones to come out. I put a fiber optic front sight on mine. It has a good double action trigger pull on it. I carry it in my front pocket. They are lightweight and I carry a strip in my pocket that holds 5 extra rounds. They make it in 22 mag and 327 also and with those calibers you get 6 rounds. Like my 38 alot

[Mags]

....
Any suggestions or recommendations on a revolver to replace my 9mm would be appreciated. ...

Ah bummer on your injury!
I been eyeing Charter Arms revolvers in 9mm or .380. I think they start at about $430.

[BrokenolMarine]

The only other thing you might consider is PAIN levels, with your injury. If you try and buy a light gun to carry that you CAN rack the slide on, there is a trade off. The lighter spring that lets you RACK the slide on the semi-auto ... also does not absorb as much recoil as a heavier spring... this is because the slide isn't as heavy. The gun isn't as heavy. The rounds themselves may be lighter recoiling, but in a lighter gun, that recoil may be very sharp.

We picked up a Kimber Micro 9 for Tina and she loved the small compact size in a 9mm caliber. She disliked the gun once she had it for a while. The mags were a bear to load full. The recoil was snappy for her smaller hands and the gun was very hard for HER to shoot accurately. (She could, however, do evil things with the Glock 23 .40 caliber - she was just tired of the weight of the fully loaded Glock 23 and spare mag.)

The Taurus has enough weight to be comfortable to shoot, and the Speed Strip gives her 12 rounds total.

[GunnyGene]

Lot's of good suggs here, but I'll offer something a little different and a whole lot cheaper than a new gun - free in fact. It's a Handi-Racker, if you want to give it a try.

https://handiracker.com/

Watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXsem_vBkFY

I have a spare, I'll send you. No charge, not even for shipping. PM me with your mailing address, and the make and model of your 9mm.

[rickhem]

Another option would be those small semi-autos that have the tip-up barrel. I know Beretta makes them in .22, .25, and .380, but not sure if they do anything larger. Never understood that design until someone mentioned the difficulty some people have racking the slide on those small semis, and then the light went on. Actually a very clever work-around when you think about it.
That said, those small revolvers with a concealed hammer can be fired from right inside your jacket pocket, every pull of the trigger brings another round under the hammer, and there's not much simpler and easy to use.
I don't carry, but lots of good advice and personal experience so far in this thread.

[markiver54]

A big thank you to all for your very valuable input. There are a lot of great suggestions here. I intend to do my research and price some of the options mentioned.
Unfortunately, my choice would largely be price driven due to some recent financial setbacks. I hope I'm able to do it at all.

There is never a good time for these kinds of injuries, but the timing of this one has proven to be particularly bad. Much of the work that needs to be done up at the cottage has been put on hold. I feel like a caged animal...BUMMER!

BTW, if anybody is wondering how the accident happened; I was preparing to grill out next door at Carol's house and slipped on the wet concrete steps of her porch. They are painted sooo, add water and they become dangerous. My left hand took all of my weight. I guess it could have been worse though. Stupid me for not being more careful. Oh, I was carrying a Smokey Joe grill at the time to go empty it before making a new fire. Needless to say, it got emptied very quickly. Just not where I intended.

Again, thank you to all. I will follow up IF and when I make a decision.

[Hatchdog]

Hope your hand heals up and you can use it like normal Mark. I carry a Ruger LCRX in 38 special. It was one of the first ones to come out. I put a fiber optic front sight on mine. It has a good double action trigger pull on it. I carry it in my front pocket. They are lightweight and I carry a strip in my pocket that holds 5 extra rounds. They make it in 22 mag and 327 also and with those calibers you get 6 rounds. Like my 38 alot

+1 on on the LCR. I have had both S&W Airweights and a couple of these LCR’s and much prefer the Ruger. Better trigger for sure. Mine is in the 327 Fed Mag and as Al said it has a six round capacity. With the Bianchi speed strip I carry that’s 12 rounds available. Mine is the X model with the external hammer. My thought is if I ever needed to take an aimed controlled shot at a greater distance the single action trigger would help.

Another consideration would be the S&W Shield 9mm with the EZE feature. I understand this model has a nice easy slide. But, I have never handled one so no personnel experience to share.

[BrokenolMarine]

I broke my left wrist attempting to break my fall, when unloading the rr ties to build my range. The range project was delayed over a year. I feel your pain brother.

[North Country Gal]

Mark, given your financial situation, I think an obvious solution is to shop used. Just let us know if you have questions when and if you see something that might work for you.

A big shout out to Gunnygene for his help on that slide racker. I think it's well worth a try.

[daytime dave]

Mark, sorry to hear of your misfortune. A family friend of mine has a Smith and Wesson EZ semi auto pistol in .380. Apparently it is very easy to rack, hence the name. You may want to go to a shop and examine all the potential specimens before your purchase.
My friend has been shooting a while and she really likes how "easy" that S&W is for her. You may also want to wear a stiff belt and try racking the action with your good hand by placing the rear sight on the top of the belt. It works for others. You might need to practice with snap caps for a while for it to get easier.

[markiver54]

Mark, given your financial situation, I think an obvious solution is to shop used. Just let us know if you have questions when and if you see something that might work for you.

A big shout out to Gunnygene for his help on that slide racker. I think it's well worth a try.

Thank you, Joanie, we are heading back up to the cottage this weekend and my favorite gun store is up there. He has lots of used handguns. You are right. I may have to go the used route. And yes! a BIG shout out to Gunnygene. A PM is on the way.

[GunnyGene]

Another consideration would be the S&W Shield 9mm with the EZE feature. I understand this model has a nice easy slide. But, I have never handled one so no personnel experience to share.

I have one of S&W EZ's in 9mm. Don't much care for it. Tends to pinch my finger on the reset. Loaded chamber pop up indicator. Has manual thumb safety as well as a grip safety like a 1911, but unless you grip it just right it won't fire. Field stripping is ok, but the spring guide rod is oval shaped and the flats have to be exactly vertical to get the slide back on. As for racking the slide it's not a whole lot easier than any other 9mm. Has about a 9lb spring. My late wife had trouble racking it(arthritis). Sights are typical white dot. Comes with a 8rnd single stack easy load mag. Shoots ok is about all I can say about it. Around $500.

A little bigger and about 2oz heavier than my Sig P365 when both are fully loaded.

[markiver54]

I've been doing a bit of research prior to going up to the cottage and looking at what my favorite gun store has to offer used.

If I were to purchase new which is still questionable in terms of affordability, it looks like the Taurus 605 357 defender, or their 856 in 38 MIGHT be within reach. Maybe I could even find one of those used. From what I'm seeing, new is in the $400.00 range so maybe used could be about half that.
I have not been one to buy junk in the past and not suggesting that these Taurus revolvers are. The ones I already own are S&W and Ruger but YouTube videos I've seen, (for what they're worth), say they are pretty good quality...any thoughts? After all, it would primarily be an EDC and not for target shooting.
BrokenolMarine mentioned the 856 I believe.

[BrokenolMarine]

Miss Tina's 856 shoots well, even before the trigger job, but easier afterward. She has been carrying it a lot, and likes it. I carry that Smith 340 357 but, I do call it the Beast for a reason, and the scandium guns are pricey. ($750 - $1,000+) I also carry the Smith 642 Airweight 5 Shot hammerless. It's snappy with +p ammo being so light, and if you can find them they are pretty pricey as well. We were seeing $550 - $650 for basic models when they had them, and no chance of a deal, because they SELL.

[Hatchdog]

I bought a Taurus for my wife to have as a nightstand gun but the trigger was so stiff that she could not fire it. I ended up selling it and getting her a Ruger LCR. I liked the feature of having a six shot cylinder. Really, if this revolver is for you the trigger on the 856 will not be an issue. Not a match gun but that’s not its intention. Maybe look at the stiff trigger as an additional safety feature???? If you have any type of firearms selling web site nearby that is a great place to shop. Just this week on our local site a Smith Airweight that was a bit rough cosmetically but functioned fine sold for $350.